Like this:

Husby and I took a little drive down to St. Paul to visit the fair today and we couldn’t believe how stifling the heat and humidity was. It didn’t stop hardcore fair goers though. Hardcores like us.

Man, it was hot.

We got there around 9:00 a.m. It was hot.

It only got hotter.

Hot.

We were sitting across from Steichen’s eating our delicious turkey sandwiches. No, not your sliced turkey on bread turkey sandwiches. Deep fried turkey, shredded, moist and delicious, on a bun, with a little bit of barbecue sauce for me and Cajun seasoning for Husby. Yum. So we’re eating our sandwiches on the ledge across from Steichen’s. Don’t know Steichen’s?

Steichen’s is the fairgrounds’ grocery store. They sell everything. So we see this couple going into Steichen’s. Remember, it’s hot. Africa hot. A few minutes later we see the couple coming out of Steichen’s, the woman had a three-pound bag of ice balanced on top of her head.

She had the genius idea of the day. Because I’m telling you, it was hot. It was so worth walking around with a bag of ice on your head.

Like this:

Today is the first day of the 2013 Minnesota State Fair. If you are from Minnesota and didn’t know that you’re either living in a cave or you don’t care about the fair at all. If you live in a cave you probably won’t benefit from this post anyway, so carry on with that cave stuff you do. If you fall into the latter category, not caring about the fair at all, well I just pity you because obviously you don’t get it.

You may say you don’t like the crowds. It’s true, there are lots of people at the fair. How can all of these people love the fair and you don’t? There’s got to be something wrong with you.

This is an optical illusion. There is actually space between all of these people. Walking with, through, and even against the mob is quite possible.

Maybe you don’t want to see the midway because you don’t like going on rides. What’s with that?! You don’t have to ride the rides to take in the excitement. The lights alone will give you a thrill.

Whee!

Are you afraid you won’t get a healthy, balanced meal at the fair? So what! You eat healthy fifty weeks out of the year; I think a little indulgence at the fair won’t hurt you. Besides, if you live in Minnesota you need to start packing on that winter fat for those sub-zero days. Yes, they’re coming, and will be here before you know it. Here, have something on a stick.

Always Pronto Pups. Not corn dogs. Not Poncho Dogs. Pronto Pups.

Well, if you still don’t want to come to the fair I won’t force you, but you’ll be missing out on the highlight of the summer. I’m going and I’m going to have a ball. It’s Minnesota summer’s last hurrah and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

The summer is moving by more quickly than ever; most likely because summer didn’t start until the end of June here in Minnesota. Seriously, I think we had snow in May. Growers of vegetables, like Husby, aren’t very happy with their crops, and people like me feel like it should be the beginning of July rather than the middle of August because the weather pulled a colossal joke on us this year.

I’m making excuses. I can’t blame the weather for my being so remiss in reading my favorite blogs or writing a post or seventeen. I can’t blame the weather for the gathering dust bunnies and smelly laundry in the hamper.

It feels icky to be behind. If feels lazy to be behind. From now on I’m going to be ahead.

My Grandma Harriet used to say this about summer, “first is 4th of July, then comes the Minnesota State Fair, then it’s Christmas.” She was so right. Time is flying so fast I never even got a chance to post anything about my 4th of July holiday, and the Minnesota State Fair starts one week from today. Before I can say ho ho ho Christmas will be upon us. But here’s the thing: I have already begun the Christmas candle production for the three upcoming shows I have before Christmas.

Oh…yeah.

You see, when I’m pouring candles in Craftland the aromas waft through the house. And yes, you can find some of these great autumn and winter aromas in some of the candles in my Etsy shop right now. Click on the picture to fly to my shop for details.

How could you be cold in the winter with this bright red, Spiced Cranberry candle burning?

How about a nice berry scent to sweeten up those chilly nights?

I know, it’s still eighty degrees outside, even in Minnesota. But like Grandma Harriet said, Christmas comes right after the Minnesota State Fair as the time flies.

In the melting pot lately there has been a batch of delicious Hot Apple Cider candles, some spicy Clove, Amish Harvest with its cinnamon and dried fruit tones, and some creamy Cappuccino Hazelnut for a good measure. Warm scents for the cold weather that’s coming.

I’m looking forward to those cold nights, but not until after the fair. What could be better than cold nights warmed by a flickering flame and the light aroma of…whatever suits you best?

Keep watching the shop for the candle scents you might love. Auntie B’s Wax is a great place to do some holiday shopping for other people too!